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Abstract:

A sculpted aluminum fascia valance system and method of making it
according to certain embodiments of the invention may include an aluminum
fascia valance that has been sculpted by a water jet cutter. The sculpted
design may be an ornamental design, or it may be a company name, logo, or
tagline. Lights or colored sheets of plastic or fabric may be used behind
the sculpted aluminum fascia to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the
sculpted design.

Claims:

1. A sculpted aluminum fascia valance system, comprising an aluminum
fascia valance having a design sculpted into the valance.

2. A sculpted aluminum fascia valance system according to claim 1,
wherein the design was sculpted into the valance using a water jet
cutter.

3. A sculpted aluminum fascia valance system according to claim 1,
wherein the design is an ornamental design.

4. A sculpted aluminum fascia valance system according to claim 1,
wherein the design is a company name, a company logo, or a company
tagline.

5. A sculpted aluminum fascia valance system according to claim 1,
further comprising a piece of colored plastic or fabric that is
positioned behind the sculpted aluminum fascia valance, wherein the piece
of colored plastic or fabric is viewable through the sculpted design.

6. A sculpted aluminum fascia valance system according to claim 1,
further comprising a light source that is positioned behind the sculpted
aluminum fascia valance, wherein the light is viewable through the
sculpted design.

7. A method of making a sculpted aluminum fascia valance system,
comprising cutting a design into an aluminum fascia valance with a water
jet cutter.

8. The method of making a sculpted aluminum fascia valance system
according to claim 7, wherein the water jet cutter is guided by a
computer and software system that allows for the creation of intricate
and detailed designs to be sculpted into the aluminum fascia valance.

9. The method of making a sculpted aluminum fascia valance system
according to claim 7, wherein the design is an ornamental design.

10. The method of making a sculpted aluminum fascia valance system
according to claim 7, wherein the design is a company name, a company
logo, or a company tagline.

11. The method of making a sculpted aluminum fascia valance system
according to claim 7, further comprising positioning a piece of colored
plastic or fabric behind the sculpted aluminum fascia valance so that the
colored plastic or fabric is viewable through the sculpted design.

12. The method of making a sculpted aluminum fascia valance system
according to claim 7, further comprising positioning a light source
behind the sculpted aluminum fascia valance so that the light is viewable
through the sculpted design.

Description:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates in general to a novel sculpted
aluminum fascia valance system and method of making the same.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] This section describes the background of the disclosed embodiment
of the present invention. There is no intention, either express or
implied, that the background art discussed in this section legally
constitutes prior art.

[0003] Fascia valances are commonly used to conceal unattractive hardware,
which is used for the mounting of various window coverings, such as
shades, curtains, and blinds. Aluminum fascia valances are available in
lightweight systems that are designed to interlock the fascia valance
with mounting brackets, allowing for a secure, fast and easy
installation. Aluminum fascia valances are often used due to this
practical design. However, aluminum fascia valances are rather plain,
adding little aesthetic appeal.

[0004] Attractive sculpted wooden fascia valances are available. However,
these are too heavy in weight to be used in some settings, and they are
not available in an easy to install interlocking system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The features of this invention and the manner of attaining them
will become apparent, and the invention itself will be best understood by
reference to the following description of certain embodiments of the
invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0006] FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of the sculpted aluminum fascia valance
system, wherein the sculpted aluminum fascia valance system is shown in
use in connection with a window covering;

[0007]FIG. 2 is a frontal view of a sculpted aluminum fascia valance,
which is constructed according to an embodiment of the present invention,
with a company name, logo, and tagline sculpted into the aluminum fascia
valance; and

[0008]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an aluminum fascia valance that
is being sculpted by a water jet cutter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It will be readily understood that the components of the
embodiments as generally described and illustrated in the drawings
herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different
configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the
embodiments of the system, components and method of the present
invention, as represented in the drawings, is not intended to limit the
scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of the
embodiments of the invention.

[0010] A sculpted aluminum fascia valance system according to certain
embodiments of the invention may include at least one sculpted aluminum
fascia valance. The aluminum fascia valance may be sculpted with an
ornamental design. In some embodiments the aluminum fascia valance may be
sculpted with a company name, logo, and/or tagline, so that the sculpted
aluminum fascia valance can serve the additional purpose of advertisement
for a business.

[0011] In one embodiment, a colored piece of plastic or fabric may be
placed behind the sculpted aluminum valance system to add an additional
source of color viewable through the openings of the sculpted design in
the sculpted aluminum valance. In other embodiments, LED or neon lighting
may be used behind the sculpted aluminum valance system to enhance the
visual appeal of the sculpted design by allowing light to shine through
the sculpted design.

[0012] A method of making a sculpted aluminum fascia valance system
according to certain embodiments of the invention, comprising using a
water jet cutter to sculpt a design into the aluminum fascia valance,
which uses a stream of high velocity high pressure water to cut intricate
designs into the aluminum fascia valance. A commercially available water
jet cutter may be used, such as a Flow® water jet cutter from Flow
International Corporation, 23500 64th Avenue South, Kent, Wash.
98032. This method may be used to sculpt any aluminum fascia valance,
such as the Skyline® aluminum fascia valance that is commercially
available from RollEase, Inc., 200 Harvard Avenue, Stamford, Conn. 06902.
The aluminum fascia valance to be sculpted may be of any color.

[0013] The sculpting by the water jet cutter is guided by a computer and
software system that allows for the creation of intricate and detailed
designs to be sculpted into the aluminum fascia valance.

[0014] Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 shows the sculpted aluminum
fascia valance system 1, wherein the sculpted aluminum fascia valance
system 1 is shown in use in connection with a window covering 2. The
sculpted aluminum fascia valance system 1 contains a sculpted aluminum
fascia valance 3 that has been sculpted with a decorative design 4.

[0015]FIG. 2 depicts a sculpted aluminum fascia valance 3, wherein the
decorative design sculpted into the aluminum fascia valance is comprised
of a company name 5, company logo 6, and company tagline 7.

[0016]FIG. 3 depicts a cross sectional view of an aluminum fascia valance
3 that is being sculpted by a stream of water 8 from a water jet cutter 9
(only partially shown) to create a decorative design 4 on aluminum fascia
valance 3.

[0017] While particular embodiments of the present invention have been
disclosed, it is to be understood that various different modifications
are possible and are contemplated within the true spirit and scope of the
appended claims. There is no intention, therefore, of limitations to the
exact abstract or disclosure herein presented.